GraceNTheTruth@ COX.NET~OUR ASSURANCES UNDER GRACE

*~REASSURANCE~ *
*
Scripture Reading: II Thessalonians 2: 1-5

Paul now specifically aims at assuring his readers that they will not go
through the day of the Lord. He had taught them, when personally with
them, about this day from the Old Testament (vs. 5). Meanwhile false
prophets claiming to speak "by the Spirit" (vs. 2) had entered in
teaching that the day of the Lord had already come. A spurious letter,
or letters, had arrived claiming Pauline authorship asserting that the
Tribulation. was upon the Thessalonians. Had the Lord failed to come for
His own?

It would be easy for the Thessalonians to conclude that the persecutions
they were experiencing were what the prophets of old had predicted. This
certainly disturbed their calmness. So much so, that many had even quit
their daily occupations (3:10-12). Their lives had certainly been
disrupted by eschatological teaching. Paul says that "that day shall not
come except there come a falling away first" (KJV). "That day" refers
back to the "day of the Lord" of verse two. All texts read "day of the
Lord" not "day of Christ." The exact translation of verse three reads
"for that day will not be except there come the apostasy first." What
apostasy is Paul referring to that must precede the day of the Lord? If
it is a general departure from the faith, how does that assure the
Thessalonians (and us) that Christians will not go through the day of
the Lord? How would we know when the apostasy begins? The basic and
simple meaning of the word "apostasy" (verb, aphistemi) is simply
departure. (Lk. 2:37; 4:13; 13:27; Acts 12:10; II Cor. 12:8; II Tim.
2:19 etc.). What "departure" had Paul previously taught the
Thessalonians about? What departure guarantees them, and us, that
believers will not go through the day of the Lord? The answer is in I
Thessalonians 4:13-18. The departure of the church from the world
satisfies our inquiry. So once again Paul is asserting a
pre-tribulational rapture. We can be sure of our safety in this regard.

by - Amazing Grace

*~REJOICING IN HOPE~*
*By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor, *
*

Scripture Reading: Romans 5 :2-5

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." This hope
that Paul was rejoicing in is ours because of the Lord Jesus Christ. It
is only because of our "position in Christ" that we have this confident
expectation. And it is ours, not because we have been justified by works
(Romans 4:1-8), or by ordinances (4:9-12), or by law obedience (13-25),
but by faith.

In Romans 8:30 the apostle writes, "Moreover whom He did predestinate,
them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and
whom He justified, them He also glorified." Our future glory with Christ
is certain because we are "in Christ" and Christ is in us. In Colossians
3:4 we read, "When Christ, Who is our life shall appear, then shall we
also appear with Him in glory." Again we read in Paul's Philippian
letter, "Christ shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able
even to subdue all things unto Himself" (3:21).

Is it any wonder that we are "rejoicing in that hope?" For the child of
God the future is always bright. As the days and years pass by that hope
becomes even brighter; but let us not forget that God is able to meet
our present needs as well: because the "Love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts!" (Romans 5:3-5).

*~THE RESTRAINER~*

*

Scripture Reading: II Thessalonians 2:6-12

In these verses Paul continues his correction of the Thess.
misapprehensions concerning the day of the Lord. He now speaks about the
man of lawlessness and the removal of the one who restrains him.
Something or someone now restrains the man of sin. The "mystery of
iniquity" is the Satanic opposition or movement against divine law. This
has been operative since the beginning of Satan's career, but is now
being restrained. What supernatural power would be capable of
restraining Satan's activities? Only a member of the Godhead is capable
of this. Probably the Holy Spirit is being referred to here.

Some object to this interpretation on the grounds that the neuter is
used in vs. 6 ("what"). But the neuter gender is used in other places to
refer to the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-14). In vs. 7 the
words are masculine to describe this restraining power. It will be the
removal of this restrainer at the time of the rapture that will free up
this Satanic force. Since this removal occurs before the day of the
Lord, Paul's argument here once again asserts a pre-tribulational
rapture. After the Holy Spirit's restraining power is removed the world
will plunge headlong into lawlessness (vs. 8). The Lord will destroy
this "man of sin" with the breath of His mouth (vs. 8). The career of
this lawless leader is described in verses 9-12 (cf. Rev. 13:3).

Those who will be deceived by this man of sin are the perishing ones
(vs. 10), Why? Because they received not the truth. They had pleasure in
unrighteousness (see John 3:19). Those who reject God's grace before the
rapture will believe the lie after the rapture. God will send them
strong delusion (vs. 11). Now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 6:2).

Amazing Grace

~GUIDING COMFORTER~
By M. Stanford

"If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under bondage of effort to
please God by works of the law" (Gal. 5:18, m.).

The motivating principle of the old life is the law; the motivating
principle of the new life is "the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." The
one produces "the works of the flesh"; the other, "the fruit of the Spirit."

"To be guided by the Holy Spirit is to be moved through the most
delicate relationships the heart can know. The 'bit and bridle' of the
law must give way to the glance of the eye of grace (Ps. 32:8, 9). At
this point Satan, appearing as 'an angel of light,' will seek to
misdirect the believer's life by making use of a morbid conscience, a
mistaken impression as to duty, or a lack of understanding as to the
exact teaching of God's Word. However, Satan's leadings are to be
detected since they are irksome, painful, and disagreeable. The leading
of the Holy Spirit is sweet and satisfying to the heart of the one who
is yielded to God. We must remember that the will of God is said to be
'good,' 'acceptable, ' and 'perfect' (Rom. 12:2)." - L.S.C.

"The believer has an all-engaging responsibility of continuing in an
attitude of reliance ('by means of the Spirit be walking') upon the Holy
Spirit. This is the believer's divinely appointed task and place of
cooperation in the mighty undertakings of God. Thus, and only thus, can
the Holy Spirit possess and vitalize every human faculty, emotion, and
choice." - L.S.C.

''If we are living in the Spirit's power, let our conduct also be
governed by the Spirit's power" (Gal. 5:25, Wey.).

Coffee Break

*THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR*
*By Pastor D. Ware *
*
EPHESIANS 2:2
"Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience"

"The prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2 is the devil. As
prince, he is the ruler over the "power" (authorities) of the air. Air
could mean: the atmosphere around the earth: the realm of demonic
spirits, or both. The devil or Satan is the ruler over the
principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies (Eph 6:12). As "the god
of this age" (2 Cor 4:4), his rulership is limited to a period of time.
We are also told "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one
(1 John 5:19).

In our context, the devil is part of the "unholy trinity": "the world",
"the flesh", and "the devil". He is now operating on the sons of
disobedience by using the world system and the desires of the flesh to
keep them in bondage to himself. He also majors in the disguise of
religion (2 Cor 11:13-15). Satan uses "seducing spirits" and "doctrines
of demos": (1 Timothy 4:1), and every influence he can to keep lost
souls blinded from "the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ" (2
Corinthians 4:4)!

When as a Christian you walk in the flesh, you are a good advertisement
for the devil He will never oppose that. But he will oppose you walking
in the Spirit, and receiving your inheritance in the heavenlies; the
position the devil and his hosts are now holding. That is why Galatians
5 (our battle with the flesh), comes before Ephesians 6 (our spiritual
battle). Don't be surprised when you as a member of the Body of Christ
experience Satanic opposition as a result of having victory over the
flesh. However, something is wrong if you are not experiencing a battle
with "the prince of the power of the air"!

I love you and care about you so much. The Christian faith is not a
buffet where you can pick and choose what you want to believe. We don't get to determine what Truth is, God has already done that and given it to us in the Bible.

HEAVEN -- AND WHO WILL GO THERE*
* by C. R. Stam*
**

Most people are surprised when they learn that the Old
Testament,though three times as large as the New, does not contain one
single promise about going to heaven. God's people, in Old Testament
times, looked forward to a glorified earth, with Messiah as its Ruler.

This was so even when our Lord was on earth and continued to be so
through Pentecost. Peter, addressing his kinsmen just after Pentecost,
said in essence: "Repent, and God will send Jesus down here" (See Acts
3:19-20), but Paul, in his epistles, says by divine inspiration:
"Believe, and God will take you up there."

This apostle of grace teaches us that God has already given
believers in Christ a position and "all spiritual blessings" in heavenly
places in Christ (Eph. 2:4-6; 1:3). And he teaches further that at the
close of this dispensation of grace "the dead in Christ shall rise" and
"we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together ...to meet
the Lord... and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thes. 4:16,17).

Thus it is that Paul, God's special apostle for our day, declares
that "our conversation [or citizenship] is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20) and
writes of "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven" (Col.1:5). Thus
it is that he encourages persecuted saints, saying:

"Ye...took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing...that ye
have in heaven a better and an enduring substance" (Heb. 10:34).
And thus he writes even of death:

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were
dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens" (II Cor. 5:1).

"...to die is gain....to depart and to be with Christ...is far
better" (Phil. 1:21,23).

*We have so much to be thankful for every day.*
*God continually provides for all our needs.
So let's make Thanksgiving a year-long celebration. *
David C. McCasland

*The Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit *
*by Steve Me Vey *
*
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in bringing conviction into our lives is
one of the most misunderstood truths of the New Testament. Many of us
have lived for many years with a viewpoint that suggests that one of His
main responsibilities is to point out our sins so that we will abandon
them. Many are surprised to learn that, while the Holy Spirit does
indeed convict us, it isn't about our sins. He convicts us about
something altogether different.

Consider John 16:8-11:

8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and
righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not
believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the
Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the
ruler of this world has been judged.

This passage says that the Holy Spirit convicts of three things: 1. Sin
2. Righteousness
3. Judgment. He convicts two groups of people: The world (not you) and
you (the Christian).

Who does the Holy Spirit convict of sin? Verse 9 says that the
conviction of sin is connected to the world. Why are they convicted?
"Because they do not believe in Me," says Jesus. It is the unbeliever
who is convicted of sin. What is that sin? They are convicted of one sin
in particular-unbelief in Christ. The Holy Spirit doesn't convict
unbelievers of their sins (plural), but of the singularly greatest sin
of all -- their failure to trust Christ as their Savior.

Even if they stopped doing all the wrong things they do in life, the
world would still have the fundamental problem of their unbelief. When
your house is burning to the ground, you don't worry that it needs a
paint job. There are more pressing matters. So it is with those who
don't know Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts them of their great need to
believe in Him. Everything else is incidental.

But what of the Christian? Jesus said the Spirit would convict of
righteousness because "I go to My Father and you no longer see Me."
Conviction of sin is directed to a group Jesus called "they" - the
world. Conviction of righteousness is associated with "you" - the
follower of Jesus. The ministry of the Holy Spirit toward the Christian
is to convince us of our righteousness. Jesus has put away our sin by
the sacrifice of Himself (see Hebrews 9:26). Now He seeks to convince
(convict) us of that reality so that we will act consistently with who
we are.

The Spirit of Christ doesn't put you under guilt and condemnation
about something Jesus Christ has already absorbed into Himself at the
cross, defeated and put away. Remember that Jesus dealt with sin and
then sat down by the right hand of God because there was nothing left to
do regarding sin. Your sins have been defeated and put away. So at every
moment, "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."

When the Christian sins, the Holy Spirit causes us to realize, "This
isn't who I am. I don't want to live like this." That realization is a
call to recognize our righteousness and act like who we are. If you
sense feelings of worthlessness and shame; if you think you are a
horrible person when you sin, that isn't the Holy Spirit speaking to
you. It may be your church or family history rising up to condemn you,
but it isn't God's Spirit. He doesn't do that. Ever.

You can be convinced (convicted) that the ruler of this world (Satan)
has already been judged and has nothing on you anymore. Your sins have
been defeated, so when you find that you have fallen, don't beat
yourself up because God doesn't. Just get up and act like who you are.

*PURSUING PEACE*
*By JOHN McKAY, Pastor *
*
Scripture Reading: Romans 14: 19; II Timothy 2:22

"Let us .. . follow after the things which make for peace ... follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord
out of a pure heart."

These orders from the Lord are so needed today. With television,
fornication, adultery, wicked music and other evils confronting us every
day, the believer must deliberately make the pursuit of peace a
priority. We cannot allow the things of this world or our own inadequacy
rob us of the contentment that God wants us to have right now in this
perverted generation.

There will be times when our peace will be disturbed. The Lord knows
that if we stand up for His Truth, we will suffer. We should not be
ashamed with the absence of peace if it has come through obedience. Even
then, won't there be the deep peace--- as our Apostle Paul experienced
in the midst of suffering--- which cannot be removed from our inner man!
" ... though our outward man PERISH, yet the inward man is renewed day
by day." Inner peace is to be preferred over external!

The Biblical doctrine of separation is sometimes compromised in the name
of peace. Can we be so foolish? Has not God commanded separation from
false doctrine and vile conduct in order that we might attain peace?
Separation will guarantee the greatest degree of peace possible! " ...
there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may
be made manifest among you." " ... put away from among yourselves that
wicked person." It may take some disturbance of external peace to
accomplish this, yet the result will be far greater peace than could
ever be imagined. The saved person can always have inner peace. Let's
pursue external peace too.

*SPIRIT- TAUGHT AND SPIRIT- WROUGHT
By Miles Stanford
*
"Hath made us alive together with Christ" (Eph. 2:5).

If we fail to rely upon the Holy Spirit for the practical day-by-day
realization of the identification truths, we will fall short of Romans
8, and find ourselves bound in the struggle of Romans 7.

"If some of you who have been the Lord's for a long time cast a glance
over your past history, you will be able to recall occasions when He
spoke and you obeyed instantly. But you can recall other occasions when
He spoke and you failed to respond; yet strangely, after a time you just
found yourself in the way of obedience.

"Such is the fruit of the Holy Spirit's government in our lives. Even if
we are totally unable to obey and cannot even exercise faith, a day
comes when the resistance has vanished and we are trusting the Lord
Jesus in simplicity of heart. It is the tireless energy of the
indwelling Spirit that has accomplished this.

"Our union with the Lord Jesus is a union of life. We were raised with
Him, we are made alive in Him. True, our bodies are to be changed, and
those who have died in Christ are to be raised as to their bodies, but
now we are raised with and are made alive in Him.

"The trouble is that many are not aware of this wonderful fact and
position; all of it seems so far away and unreal. If we will believe
God's Word and begin to thank Him for the truths that He tells us, the
Holy Spirit will ere long begin to make these truths living realities in
our lives."-L.L. L.

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6).

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why
not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending
the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world. It is our
heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we
possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord
Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.

*If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!*

*Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, *
*which from the beginning of the world *
*hath been hid in God,*
*who created all things by Jesus Christ*

*GRACE REIGNS THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS *
by Russell S. Miller

In addition to those other passages in Paul's epistles, where "Grace",
"Faith", and "Righteousness" are found, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle
to the Hebrews contains the following references to "Grace and Faith" as
well as "Grace and Peace":

"The throne of grace..." (Heb.4:16), so grace reigns.

"The King of righteousness. .." (Heb.7:2).

But you argue Christ is the Head of the Church, not King. However the
reference is to the mysterious Melchisedec priesthood. Yet I Timothy
1:17 states that our Lord is "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the
only wise God...". While I Timothy 6:15 calls our Lord, "...the blessed
and only Potentate... ". Nevertheless, "grace reigns through
righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.5:21).

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He
entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption
for us" (Heb.9:12).

"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His
blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God" (Rom.3:25).

"...The spirit of grace..." (Heb.10:29), in conjunction with "the Word
of grace" (Acts 20:32), teaches us to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10).

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen" (Heb.11:1).

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"
(Rom.10:17).

"...The God of peace..." (Heb.13:20).

It is so comforting to know that our God is dispensing "grace" and
"peace" today. This blessed theme is prevalent in all of Paul's
epistles, the theme that he and Timothy "preached every where in every
church" (ICor.4:17).

"Grace be with you all..." (Heb.13:25).

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord
Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:3).

Indeed, while many find it difficult to believe the Epistles of Saint
Paul, may you find comfort in knowing the wonderful and marvelous truth
that "Grace and Peace" reign through His "Righteousness" today.

The Word of God is so needed in our world today, especially in our own
USA, if this devotion has been a blessing and encouragement to you, pass
it on to a friend.

I love you and care about you so much. The Christian faith is not a
buffet where you can pick and choose what you want to believe. We don't
get to determine what Truth is, God has already done that and given it to us in the Bible.


*PARIS*
*GraceNTheTruth@ COX.NET*

THE THRONE WHICH IS NEVER ABDICATED! *
*By Paul Hume*

Scripture Reading: Rev. 4:1-11; Heb. 4:16

What a glorious and great scene is this! John, by the Spirit, is caught
away into "the Lordly day" (Rev. 1:10) to behold events which will
certainly transpire in the heavens and on the earth. This is the scene
of "the Majesty on High" in Rev. 4. Notice the throne and the One who
sits upon it! How awful is this glorious scene! All the celestial beings
who behold this sight can do no less than fall before Him on His throne
and "Worship Him that liveth forever and ever."

Oh! Friend! Stop right now! Let this blessed scene flood your soul--that
of the Sovereign God of the universe--our Father! Then bow low in
spiritual worship!

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!"
(Reginald Heber)

Here is the Throne which has never been abdicated!
Earthly monarchs are sometimes deposed. Some of them reign for a score
or two of years, and they must finally yield the throne to their
successors. All must die sooner or later. But not the One who occupies
"the Throne of grace!" In the Person of the Lord Jesus, in Whom all the
fulness of the Godhead has been pleased to take up its permanent home
(Col. 1:19), our blessed God is still ordering our lives in His
matchless mercy, grace, and love from that eternal throne. Furthermore,
in the wider sense, He is still ordering the varied affairs of this old
world--be they malignantly evil, or be they magnificently good--from
that same throne! Little wonder we can sing from our hearts:

"God is still on the throne,
And He will remember His own,
Though trials may press us and burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone
God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true,
He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne." (Mrs. F.W. Suffield)

Is HE on the throne of YOUR heart today?
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, *
*which from the beginning of the world *
*hath been hid in God,*
*who created all things by Jesus Christ*

*TRANSFERRED AND TRANSFORMED *
*By Miles Stanford*

"If [since] ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1).

The growth truths seem complicated and difficult to understand on first
encounter. However, with progress in grace we find them to be as clear
and logical as the truth of justification. For both time and eternity,
all is summed up in John 17:3: "And this is life eternal. .. [to] know
Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ." Study on!

"The marvel of divine grace is that not only has everything according to
the heart of God been secured for me through the death and resurrection
of the Lord Jesus, but that I, a child of Adam, should be, not only in
peace with God where I was under His judgment, but that I am transferred
from Adam to Christ, and I am to have Christ formed in me now.

"I am born of God - of new and divine origin - a new creation to be here
on earth now where I was a child of Adam, in the grace and beauty of
Christ, led by His own power to stand for Him; daily more and more
'transformed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the
Spirit of the Lord' (II Cor. 3:18)."

"I used to study this passage and that passage to obtain guidance and
light. I see now that if I were really near Him beholding His glory (II
Cor. 3:18), I should be transformed, should come from Him so impressed
with Himself that His interests would, as it were, naturally control
me." - J.B.S.

"When the heart has found its rest and satisfaction in Him, it can turn
to Him naturally and continually in every circumstance. "

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col.
3:2).


Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encouragement to you, why
not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending
the USA. The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world. It is our
heart at GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we
possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord
Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.


* It's not what we do that's important*
* It's what God does through us that's important *
* ---- J. Christopher*
*GraceNTheTruth@ COX.NET

COMFORT ONE ANOTHER*
* by C. R. Stam*
*
Increasing world tension and the present trend of events in the Middle
East have always filled many with fear, and there are even sincere
believers in Christ who fear that perhaps the "Great Tribulation" of
prophecy, with all its horrors, is at hand.

It is true indeed that even Paul's epistles warn this world of the
judgment to come. "...The Day of the Lord", he says, "so cometh as a
thief in the night".

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape" (IThess.5:2, 3).

But before this time comes, the Lord will recall His ambassadors, as the
apostle tells us in the following passage:

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in
Christ shall rise first:
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
"Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (IThess.4:16- 18).

This is the event with which "the dispensation of the grace of God" will
be brought to a close. Then will follow "the day of His wrath", but even
as Paul goes on to tell about this in the passage which follows, he
reassures the members of Christ's Body that they will not be included
amongst those to whom the Lord will come as "a thief in the night".

"But ye brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief. Ye are all the children of light...God hath not appointed us
to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for
us...Wherefore comfort yourselves together..." (IThess.5:4- 11).

Dear Lord Jesus, You are my indwelling treasure. When pressures,
perplexities, persecutions, or catastrophes come our way, teach us to
trust in You. When others ask how we are sustained through these
difficulties, remind us to give all glory and honor to You. In Your
name I pray, Amen.

*TRUE RICHES*
*by C. R. Stam*
*
Some years ago there came to this country a very poor young man. He
found a job in the timber lands of Wisconsin. Being industrious he
gradually accumulated some timber acreage of his own. Soon he began to
prosper, and after a few years he invested in a lumber milling industry.
Before long he owned more than one mill, and this led him to expand into
northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. In a few years he was known as a rich
man, investing in timber acreage in the far northwest and eventually
owning valuable land by the thousands of acres, the very finest timber
in the country. At the time of his death neither he nor his relatives
nor friends knew what he was worth financially, he had become so wealthy.

When the time came for him to die, however, he could not take one cent
of his riches with him, for as I Timothy 6:7 says: "We brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out".

It seems difficult for most men to learn that "a man's life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).
They close their ears to the words of wisdom spoken by the Lord: "Lay
not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt. 6:19,20).

The truest, most lasting riches of all are referred to in II Corinthians
8:9, where the Apostle Paul says: "For ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became
poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich".

And these riches may be had by faith -- by accepting them as a gift, for
"the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.6:23).

*
The Word of God is so needed in our world today, especially in our own USA, if this devotion has been a blessing and encouragement to you, pass it on to a friend.

*

*I love you and care about you so much. *
*The Christian faith is not a buffet*
*where you can pick and choose what *
*you want to believe. We don't get to*
*determine what Truth is, *
*God has already done that and *
*given it to us in the Bible. *

*GraceNTheTruth@ COX.NET*

SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING*
* by C. R. Stam*
Honest, prayerful study of the Word brings us to spiritual maturity and
understanding. But does it not require superior intellectual powers to
understand these "deep things of God"? No indeed. Superior intellects
among unsaved men are unable to appreciate even the "simple" truths of
the Word, for "they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). And as to
the "mystery" made known to Paul by the glorified Lord, the Apostle
declares that it is now "revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by
the Spirit" (Eph. 3:5).

The mystery is not merely something more difficult to grasp
intellectually, for the Apostle specifically states that it is "not the
wisdom of this world" but "the wisdom of God" (I Cor. 2:6,7), and that
only by the Spirit of God can it be understood and appreciated. This
explains why many of the humblest believers rejoice in the mystery and
understand it so clearly, while so many great theologians and
religious leaders fail to grasp it and keep confusing it with God's
prophesied program regarding the kingdom of Christ.

The mystery is not "hard to be understood" because men are slow of mind
to understand, but because they are "slow of heart to believe," because
the devil, who "hath blinded the minds of them that believe not" also
seeks to keep God's people from seeing and rejoicing in the truth of
the mystery with its riches of grace, its "one body" and its "one
baptism." This is why the Apostle prayed so fervently that the
believers to whom he ministered might be given "spiritual
understanding" to take in the glorious message he was commissioned to
proclaim (See Eph. 1:16-19; Col. 1:9,10).
*TRUE RICHES*
*by C. R. Stam*
*Some years ago there came to this country a very poor young man. He
found a job in the timber lands of Wisconsin. Being industrious he
gradually accumulated some timber acreage of his own. Soon he began to
prosper, and after a few years he invested in a lumber milling industry.
Before long he owned more than one mill, and this led him to expand into
northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. In a few years he was known as a rich
man, investing in timber acreage in the far northwest and eventually
owning valuable land by the thousands of acres, the very finest timber
in the country. At the time of his death neither he nor his relatives
nor friends knew what he was worth financially, he had become so wealthy.

When the time came for him to die, however, he could not take one cent
of his riches with him, for as I Timothy 6:7 says: "We brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out".

It seems difficult for most men to learn that "a man's life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).
They close their ears to the words of wisdom spoken by the Lord: "Lay
not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt. 6:19,20).

The truest, most lasting riches of all are referred to in II Corinthians
8:9, where the Apostle Paul says: "For ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became
poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich".

* Is the Mystery in the Old Testament?*
* by Pastor Ricky Kurth*
* *
*
No, of course not! Then why does Paul often quote the Old Testament to
substantiate the Mystery (e.g., Rom. 15:9-12). Let's start in Acts
26:22, where Paul testifies:

"I continue unto this day...saying none other things than those which
the prophets and Moses did say should come."

This statement seems to belie Paul's insistence that his message was hid
from ages and from generations? (Col. 1:26). However, he explains
himself in the next verse:

"That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should
rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the
Gentiles" (Acts 26:23).

The death and resurrection of Christ was not a mystery, nor was God's
plan to show light unto "the people" (of Israel) and "to the Gentiles."
Thus Paul is saying that while his message did not fulfill the prophets,
generally speaking it did not contradict the Old Testament. We see the
same in Acts 15, where the leaders in the church met to decide what to
make of Paul's new gospel. James concluded:

"Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to
take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of
the prophets... (v. 14,15)."

James didn't say that Paul's new message fulfilled the prophets. Rather
he said it agreed with them, i.e., God always intended to visit the
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. Of course,
according to Prophecy this was supposed to happen through Israel's rise
(Isa. 60:3), not through her fall (Rom. 11:11). Someday in the kingdom
it will. But in the meantime, James could not deny that generally
speaking Paul's new message was in accord with the Old Testament.

When most New Testament writers quote the Old Testament, it is to show
fulfillment of prophecy. However, when Paul quotes the Old Testament, it
is to show harmony, not fulfillment.

Let's close with an example. In Romans 10:19 Paul quotes Deuteronomy
32:21, where God vows to provoke Israel to jealousy by a foolish nation.
This cannot be the Gentiles, for they are "the nations," plural. Peter
rather identifies the believing Jews to whom he wrote as the "holy
nation" that God originally used to provoke the apostate nation of
Israel to jealousy (I Pet. 2:9 cf. Matt. 21:43; Luke 12:32) and fulfill
Deuteronomy 32:21. But in the next chapter of Romans, Paul says,

"...I am the apostle of the Gentiles...if by any means I may provoke to
emulation them which are my flesh..." (Rom. 11:13,14).

Here Paul declares that God was now using the Gentiles to provoke Israel
to jealousy. Not in fulfillment of Deuteronomy 32:21, but certainly in
harmony with it!

So while the Mystery is not in the Old Testament, Paul can quote it
freely to show how his new message was in agreement with it.

PROMISES UNDER GRACE*
*
1 THESS. 4:16-17

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead In
Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them In the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

In no other age have believers received promises to equal those we have
been given as members of the Body of Christ. Having been saved by His
grace, we are assured that "He which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6.) This
promise assures us of complete preservation of our secure position as
the purchased possession of God. The Day of Jesus Christ is when "We
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad (worthless)" (2 Corinthians 5:10). This means
that nothing can prevent our save arrival for that occasion.

We are adjured "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not
unto men: KNOWING THAT OF THE LORD YE SHALL RECEIVE THE REWARD OF THE
INHERITANCE; FOR YE SERVE THE LORD CHRIST" (Colossians 3:23-25). We are
thus left in no doubt whatever as to the fact of our appearance before
the judgment seat of Christ "He shall change our vile body, that it may
be fashioned like unto His glorious body"...When Christ, Who is our
life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory''
(Philippians 3:21) (Colossians 3:4.)

What a promise! We are "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"... "For the
Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall
rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds!"

This is the kind of relationship God wants with you!
The notion that God recreated you in Christ to get more work out of you
is such a low view of our Father. God wants you to adopt Paul's life
verse: "that I may know Him [Christ]" (Philippians 3:10). As you pursue
that goal, spiritual fruit will begin to drop off of you to the glory of
Christ. Men asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we may work the works
of God?" Jesus answered, "This is the work of God, that you believe in
Him whom He has sent" (John 6:28,29).

ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK *
*By Pastor Robert Hanna*
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:20-21

King Solomon prayed to God for wisdom because he knew that his human
limitations were such as to be totally inadequate for the task to which
he had been appointed. His humility and faith and dedication were
rewarded twofold. "And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this
thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked
riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies ... behold,
I have done according to thy words. And I have also given thee that
which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour" (I Kings 3:11-13) .

And so it has ever been. You and I live in an entirely different chapter
of God's dispensational book, but we have the same glorious relationship
with God as did Solomon insofar as prayer is concerned. "Be careful
(anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace
of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Our bounty from God is
not always measured in terms of this world's goods, or robust health or
freedom from pain and grief. But we are as greatly blessed as was
Solomon in degree.

We receive according to His purpose. There is no limitation to God's
ability, for He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." The more
completely we humble ourselves and depend on Him, the more He is glorified.
*
The Word of God is so needed in our world today, especially in our own
USA, if this devotion has been a blessing and encouragement to you,pass it on to a friend.

PEACEFUL KNOWLEDGE *
*By Miles Stanford*

"I have been crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20).

The difference between stultifying carnality and growing spirituality is
the believer's realization that he the sinner, as well as his sin, were
taken down into death. Seeing one's identification in the Lord Jesus'
death, burial, resurrection and ascension is the necessary foundation
for spiritual growth to maturity.

"How often do we find believers plunged into the very depths of distress
and darkness as to their spiritual condition and prospects! So many do
not as yet see the application of the death of the Lord Jesus to their
old man. They do not realize the glorious truth that in that death they
were delivered from this present evil world, from the dominion of sin
and the law, and from the power of the enemy.

"All believers see that the Blood of the Lord Jesus screens them from
the judgment of God; but most do not as yet see that they are 'dead unto
sin' in the Lord Jesus; that their 'old man was crucified with Christ';
that not only have their sins been put upon Him at the Cross, but they
themselves, as sinful children of Adam, have been personally identified
with Him in His death unto sin; that God pronounces them dead and risen
with Him. But if this foundational truth is not apprehended by faith,
there is no bright, happy, emancipating sense of full and everlasting
salvation." -C.H.M.

"We are to hold by faith the position which the Father has given us in
the risen Lord Jesus, and abide therein, occupied with the interests of
our Father and not our own. Taking thought of our-selves is a divergence
from the place of faith."

"We enter the heavens in order to be qualified for earth; we do not
begin on earth, to reach the heavens. Our simplest earthly
responsibilities require us to be conversant with the 'things above. '"

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

*"Lord, this indestructible joy is mine.*
* I don't need to pray for it or plead with you*
* to grant this joy to me.*
* It is mine because You live in me!*
* I know that! So what am I to do?*
* I am to open the gates and let that joy flow out of me. *

WILL THERE BE A FUTURE JUDGMENT _*
*FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST?*
*

A glorious declaration is sounded in Romans 8: 1: 'There is therefore
now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.' The word
'condemnation' can also be rendered 'sentence of judgment.' Does this
mean, then, that because we are 'in Christ Jesus', and are forgiven and
justified in Him, and are 'complete in Him' (Colossians 2:10), that
there will be no judgment for us in the future? Some reason that way.
But what saith the Scriptures? What is 'the Berean test' for this (see
Acts 17:11)?

FIRST: THE GOD OF ALL GRACE SAYS THERE WILL BE A FUTURE JUDGMENT
FOR MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S BODY! In Paul's final words, by divine
inspiration, to Timothy, he testified clearly: 'I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto
all them also that love his appearing' (II Timothy 4:7-8).

Now note carefully that 'the Lord' here (evidently the Lord Jesus
Christ, as II Timothy 4:1 states) is called 'the righteous judge'. The
term 'judge' here means one who passes sentence. Here Christ is
described not so much as a magistrate to condemn or to exonerate, but to
umpire or referee as in a game or a contest.

This same thought comes out other places in Paul's epistles. For
example Paul's exhortation to Christians in their vocational employment
says: 'And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto
men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance; for ye serve (or, serve ye) the Lord Christ. But he that
doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is
no respect of persons' (Colossians 3:23-25). If these warnings don't
carry the under-lying truth of the believer's personal accountability to
God for what he does, then they are absolutely meaningless.

Elsewhere, the believer standing before 'the judgment seat (bema)
of Christ' on 'the day of Christ' (also called 'that day' - II Timothy
1:18, 4:8) is presented by the Apostle as being a motive for godly
living. Thus we read: 'For we must all appear (be made manifest) before
the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive (as a recompense)
the things done in his body, according to that he hat done, whether it
be good or bad (worthless)' (II Corinthians 5:10).

Because God has saved us and accepted us in Christ, and we stand
'complete in Him,' we desire to so 'walk worthy of the Lord unto
pleasing Him in all respects'. We seek to so live, not to placate an
angry God, but because we love Him and want to bring the most glory and
pleasure to His heart possible. And then on 'that day,' we will hear His
'well done Thu good and faithful servant,' which in turn will all be 'to
the praise of His glory' throughout the ages to come.

Beloved, let us so walk and work 'in the Lord' in daily
yieldedness and trust so as to be 'crowned' on 'that day'.

Grace, Peace and Love, Pastor Hume

*We have so much to be thankful for every day.*
*God continually provides for all our needs. *
*So let's make Thanksgiving a year-long celebration. *
*David C. McCasland*

THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS*
*
St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, refers to those who receive "the
abundance of grace" and "the gift of righteousness" (Rom.5:17) which God
in love bestows upon all who trust in His Son for salvation.

The Bible declares that no man can ever stand uncondemned in the sight
of God, the Judge of all, unless he receives righteousness as the gift
of God's grace.

Quoting from the Psalms, the Apostle says in Romans 3:10; "It is
written, there is none righteous, no, not one". This is why Paul pitied
those who continued to go about "to establish their own righteousness"
(Rom.10:3). He knew that their struggle was utterly futile, that they
needed to be saved (See Verse One).

Let us thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ took the condemnation and
judgment of our sins upon Himself at Calvary so that His righteousness
might be imputed to us by grace through faith. Regarding Abraham's
justification before God, the Apostle says: "What saith the Scripture?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness"
(Rom.4:3).

Abraham's justification, of course, was based on the fact that Christ
was to die for sin, but Christ's death is now past; it is an historical
fact. Thus righteousness is now proclaimed through Christ and offered to
all as a gift. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"
(Rom.5:8). "God hath made Him to be sin for us...that we might be made
the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor.5:21).

But we must receive this righteousness as a gift, for "to him that
worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH
is counted for righteousness" (Rom.4:5).

RELENTLESS PURPOSE*
*By Miles Stanford *
*
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to
show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward
Him" (II Chron. 16:9).

All of God's thoughts concerning us are centered in His Son, where He
has placed us. Hence they are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jer.
29:11). Others may do evil against us, but our Father turns it into our
good, for Jesus' sake.

"The purpose of God is that through the conditions and sufferings of my
life should develop in me the features of His Son. On the one hand, the
features of the old creation may be seen to be more and more terrible
and horrible, as I recognize them in myself; but over against that God
is doing something which is other than my old self. He is bringing into
being Another, altogether other, and that is His Son, my new life.
Slowly, seemingly all too slowly; nevertheless something is developing.
The sonship is not very much in evidence yet, but it is going to be
manifested. What God has been doing will come out into the light
eventually --- conformity to the image of His Son." --- T. A-S.

"Afflictions are in the hands of the Holy Spirit to effect the softening
of the heart in order to receive heavenly impression. Job said, 'God
maketh my heart soft' (Job 23:16). As the wax in its natural hard state
cannot take the impress of the signet, and needs to be melted to render
it susceptible, so the believer is by trials prepared to receive, and
made to bear, the divine likeness."

"Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have
been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Col. 2:7).

*

*STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD *
*IVAN L. BURGENER, PASTOR*
*
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 4: 1

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards
of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful."

What is a steward? We used to have them on railroad trains---Oh yes, on
ocean ships as well. But was Paul one of these? While Paul was the
servant of all he was far more than a baggage handler. The word steward
means the same as "administrator" or "dispenser." It describes one who
manages the property or wealth of another.

The Bible gives examples of stewards: There were stewards, faithful and
wise, a certain "rich man, which had a steward," and "Erastus the
chamberlain [steward) of the city. These men were all administrators of
property belonging to others. They were to dispense the wealth according
to the dictates of the wealthy men they served. From this it is easy to
see the importance of "faithfulness" as the chief virtue of a steward.
It matters little what or how the steward thought things ought to be
done. He was to do the wishes of the one he served.

Now Paul was just such a steward. God had revealed the riches of His
grace to Paul in a very distinct and new way. Never before had God told
any of His esteemed servants or prophets anything about the secrets He
told Paul. Having been therefore entrusted with such a treasure, Paul
had a duty to "make known the riches of His grace". This was Paul's
stewardship. This was his administration, that is, this was the new
program God had commissioned him to carry out. No wonder he said,
"necessity is laid upon me" (9:16). If Paul alone had been given the
revelation, who else could make it known? And again, "a dispensation of
the gospel is committed to me" (9:17).

Our stewardship today is to promote and make known that administration
given to Paul!

ASLEEP IN A STORM *
*by C. R. Stam *
What a disappointing scene! A terrifying storm, souls in danger of
death, but Jonah, the man of God, fast asleep.

Sailors are not soon frightened in a storm, but this time the fury of
the gale was so great that "the ship was like to be broken" and even the
sailors were driven to their knees "and cried every man unto his god"
(Jonah 1:4,5).

Can it be that Jonah, the only man aboard who knew the true God, was
sleeping? Sleeping while souls were perishing? This was the shameful
truth, and not one of us would blame the terrified captain for rudely
awakening him and crying: "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call
upon thy God!" (Verse 6).

But let us not be too ready to condemn Jonah, for we may be more guilty
than he. Surely the world today is passing through a fearful storm and
souls all about us are in peril of their lives. If they do not accept
God's way of salvation; if they do not trust in Christ, they will
perish. And what are we doing about it? Are we pleading for them in
prayer? Are we doing what we can to reach them for Christ? Or are we
fast asleep?

"What meanest thou O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" And when you
have cried to God in behalf of your unsaved relatives, friends, and
business associates, He will send you to witness to them of Christ and
His love. Not until you have talked to God about them will you be ready
to talk to them about God.

Politically, morally, spiritually, the night is dark, the storm is
raging and souls are perishing, but "God, who commanded the light to
shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts" (II Cor.4:6). "...We
are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do
others" (IThess. 5:5,6).

Christ is our life (see Acts 17:28; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21;
Colossians 3:4). To become obsessed with anything other than Him is
idolatry, even if that other obsession is religious rules. Perhaps the
greatest danger in the American church is that we have lost our focus on
Jesus Christ and have been focusing more on "Christian values;' which is
merely morality by another name.

*THE FAITHFULNESS of OUR GOD*
* Part 2 of 2*
* By Pastor James R. Gray*

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO SANCTION

God is faithful to safeguard us, because He is faithful to sanction
what He permits to occur. "There hath no temptation taken you but such
as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (I Cor. 10:13).

Temptation is a persistent enemy to every believer. It never quits. It
continually attacks morning, noon and night. It surrounds us, allures
us, and tries to trip us day after day, month after month, year after
year. When it comes to temptation, let us give careful consideration
to the facts:

* God does not tempt us

The temptation we face never comes from God. James 1:13 warns us, "Let
no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man." The author of all
good cannot be the author of sin, nor can He tempt any of His
creatures to sin. We cannot blame God for the temptation we face. The buck stops with us. James continues, "But every man is tempted, when
he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (1:14). When we fall
into sin from temptation is it no one's fault but our own.

* God does limit temptation

God will "not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able" (1 Cor.
10:13). The word suffer is the Greek word eao meaning to permit or
allow. God will not allow us to be tempted above what we can handle.
God controls the amount of temptation Satan may bring upon us. Our all knowing God will not allow us to be overloaded. Each of us has a
maximum capacity that we are able to handle, with His help. He knows our maximum capacity and will not allow more than that. At the point
of maximum capacity He will say "no more" Job 38:11). It is important
to notice that this is based upon God's knowledge, not upon what we
think we can handle. He knows our limits even when we do not.

* God always makes an escape from temptation

God promises to provide a way of escape. It does not matter what the temptation is (drink, drunks, depravity, whatever), all have a way of escape. Thank God that is always true. The words "way of escape" is one word in the Greek, ekbasis, meaning a way out. We do not need to be victims of our weaknesses, environment or circumstances. God is faithful! He has appointed a way out of any and every temptation we face.
It should be pointed out that the way of escape may not mean a doing away with the temptation, but enduring the temptation. Otherwise, the last phrase - "that ye may be able to bear it" - has little meaning. The phrase clearly refers to enduring the tempta-tion without faltering because Christ is "able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18). The word succour means to help, aid. God is faithful to aid us in temptation. Making us able to ride it out, to go through it, and to bear it while we're enduring, thus coming out victorious. We can have victory over any temptation.

Notice also that the temptation and the way out come at the same time.
When the temptation begins, the way out or the means to endure is
available. The way of escape is always present with the temptation.
The two cannot be separated. God is faithful to sanction or limit the
temptation we face and to provide a way out. It is up to us to take
the way out. In reality, whatever way of escape God is faithful to
provide in a particular trial, it will include dependence upon the
sustaining power of God.

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS SOLEMN WORD

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for
He is faithful that promised)" (Heb. 10:23). God is reliable. He will
do what He promised. His is faithful to His word. Because He is
faithful to His word, we ought to be faithful to Him. We may prove to
be unfaithful to our word, but God never fails to perform what He
promised in His solemn word. It is impossible for Him to lie (Heb.
6:16-18).

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO PERFORM

"But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay .... For
all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the
glory of God by us" (II Cor. 1:18,20). The translation of verse 18 is
not the best. For one thing, the word as is not in the Greek text.
Also, the word true is the same Greek adjective which in the other
references is translated faithful. Therefore it is better translated,
"God is faithful."

The context shows that God is faithful to perform His Word. God not
only promises, He performs what He promises. God's promise is always crowned by His performance. God will do what He says He will do. God is faithful!
THE CHURCH ON EXHIBITION *
*By RALPH F. BALOG*
*

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:18

God is so highly pleased with His decision to form the Body of Christ
that He has placed us on exhibition! To whom? Our next door neighbors?
No. To "the principalities and powers in the heavenlies." They
understand the power of God. They tremble at His august Majesty. Fools
on earth make a mock of sin and say "no God" in their sinful quests. But
not so, those in heavenly places. This would mean that the Church is on
display as well to Satan. Presently he is somewhere in the heaven lies
awaiting his outcasting (Rev. 12:9).

Why has God put the Body of Christ on display? Surely He loved Israel of
old very much and will again draw her to Himself forever. It is because
the Church, which is Christ's Body, is God's ultimate achievement. After
Israel's centuries-old rebellion against God, culminating in her
crucifixion of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, it seemed Satan had gained a
victory. But I Corinthians 2:6-8 reveals it was this hidden mystery of
God, the Church which is Christ's Body, which Satan and his princes knew
nothing about, which is God's shining exhibition of what He alone can do
with fallen mankind. On the basis of the Cross, though not revealed
until Paul was raised up, God could take those "afar off" (Gentiles) as
well as those "nigh" (Israel) and blend individuals from both into one
Body, that of His blessed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And God has
delighted to give the members of the Body of Christ all He has given His
blessed Son. We are "joint heirs" with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Little wonder
then that God would put such a marvelous creation of His, on exhibition.

THE FAITHFULNESS of OUR GOD
Part 1 of 2
By Pastor James R. Gray

God is faithful in all that He is and that He does. Moses once said,
"Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God"
(Deut. 7:9). The Apostle Paul reminds us that even "if we believe not,
yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Him-self" (II Tim. 2:13).
Faithfulness is essential to His being and He cannot act contrary to Who
He is or what He does. His faithfulness rests upon His very being. His
omnipotence, truth, immutability, holiness, love and righteous justice
are foundational to His faithfulness. He never forgets, fails, falters,
or forfeits His word. Faithfulness is one of His glorious perfections
and one of the great themes of the Bible.

The Apostle Paul is a great spotlighter of the faithfulness of God. In
his epistles there are six declarations about God's faithfulness. God is
faithful in all His relations with His own. It is not our faithfulness
that is the focus, but God's faithfulness. In fact, God remains faithful
in all of these areas, even when we do not.

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO SAVE

"Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (I Thess. 5:24).
Believers are those who have responded to the call of God. This call
was, first of all, to salvation. In II Thessalonians 2:13-14, Paul makes
clear that salvation is the work of God. Our salvation is entirely due
to the initiative of God. He chose us to salvation. However, God's
choice did not automatically save us, it became a reality by the work of
the Holy Spirit and belief of the truth. Believers are here contrasted
with those who "did not believe the truth but took pleasure in
unrighteousness" (II Thess. 2:12).

We were called by the gospel of God's grace. The call of God involves
receiving eternal life (II Tim. 1:9-10; 6:12; II Thess. 2:14). God in
His grace calls men to salvation. It is His call that proceeds and
inspires us to call upon Him (Rom. 10:12-13). There-fore, believers are
called-out ones. We are called into one Body, the Church (CoI. 3:15). In
fact, the word church is the Greek word ekklesia, meaning the called-out
ones. We have not joined the church, Christ has joined us to His church
and to Himself (1 Cor. 12:13). God is faithful to save those whom He
calls (Rom. 8:29-30). He called us to salvation, and He is faithful to
completely accomplish it.

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO SECURE

"Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blame-less in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were
called unto the fellowship, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Cor. 1:8-9). Believers are secure
in Christ. God will "confirm you unto the end." The Greek word for
confirm is bebaioo, meaning to fix, make sure, preserve. It denotes to
"make firm or reliable so as to warrant security" (Spiros Zodhiates, The
Complete Word Study Dictionary, 331). God is faithful to secure us. We
do not secure ourselves by works or any other means. Our security is
complete-ly in the hands of God. We will not present ourselves blameless
in that day. He will present us "holy and unblameable and unreproveable
in His sight" (Col. 1:22). the word blameless is a legal term in the
Greek, indicating not merely to be unaccusable, but free from any
charge. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO SAFEGUARD US

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from
evil" (II Thess. 3:3). God is faithful to save and secure us for
eternity. He is likewise faithful to safeguard us in this present age.
The word keep is an interesting one. The Greek word is phulasso.
Although keep is a true translation, the word is more colorful than what
the English word brings out. It is a military term meaning to watch,
guard, sentinel, or garrison. It implies conflict and armed protection
against attack. God safeguards His own.

That which we are safeguarded from is evil, or the evil one. The text
here could be translated either in the neuter: evil, or masculine: the
evil one. Paul uses the word in both ways; for evil in general (Rom.
12:9; I Thess. 5:22) and of the evil one (Eph. 6:16). Most students
prefer the masculine translation (the evil one) because of the context.

This does not mean that evil or the evil one will never touch us. Job
knew what it was to be touched by the evil one. However, as J. Sidow
Baxter observes:
/Again and again Satan is allowed to attack; and, alas, all too often
our outward human defenses are pierced; but inside those there is an
invisible wall of fire around God's elect before which Satan is scorched
and thwarted. He may penetrate right to that innermost citadel, ripping
away everything else to get there, as he did in the case of the
patriarch Job; but there he always reaches the impenetrable, and slinks
back in discomfiture, while the Lord's beloved comes through wiser and
stronger, even as gold tested and purified (Majesty: The God You Should
Know, 207).
/
God safeguards us so "who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the
day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these
thing we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalies,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the
love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:35-39).
*